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Santa Monica Mountains Fund

EIN 95-4187832 · Westlake Vlg, CA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS FUND (THE FUND) OPERATES AS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION LOCATED IN THOUSAND OAKS, CALIFORNIA. THE FUND WAS ESTABLISHED ON JANUARY 22, 1988, TO PROTECT AND ENCOURAGE APPRECIATION AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE NATIONAL AND STATE PARKLANDS IN THE SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS BY SUPPORTING THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE (NPS) and CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS (CSP). THE FUND ACHIEVES THIS MISSION BY PARTNERING WITH NPS AND CSP TO FURTHER EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND RESEARCH; IMPROVING PARK FACILITIES AND TRAILS; ENGAGING COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND YOUTH IN EDUCATION; AND LEADING EFFORTS TO STEWARD THE NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES OF THESE BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAINS.

Income
$6.0 million
Spending
$4.5 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
7.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 54%
Employees
107
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$127,050, executive dir.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 79% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $2.5 million spent. HABITAT RESTORATION AND TRAILSThe Fund supports projects and programs that preserve the SMMNRA for public access and ecological resilience. The Seed Farm at Rancho Sierra Vista continues to serve as a vital site for ecological restoration, workforce development, and learning opportunities for local youth. In 2025, the nursery continued expanding its capacity to produce native plants used in habitat restoration and climate resilience projects across the mountains and surrounding communities.The nursery program includes the Oxnard Youth Ecologists (OYE) workforce program and the Monarch and Milkweed initiative. The OYE program provides youth with job skills and hands-on experience in ecological restoration, native seed collection and propagation, and conservation leadership. Youth participants helped cultivate tens of thousands of native plants and supported the distribution of milkweed plants across Los Angeles and Ventura counties to strengthen pollinator habitat and regional wildlife corridors.The Liberty Canyon nursery continued operating at full capacity to support restoration work associated with the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing and surrounding habitat connectivity projects. RESTORATION CREWS ALSO CONTINUED POST FIRE RECOVERY EFFORTS, INCLUDING PLANTING NATIVE TREES AND SHRUBS AND IMPLEMENTING EROSION CONTROL MEASURES IN LANDSCAPES AFFECTED BY THE WOOLSEY, PALISADES, AND OTHER FIRES.The Trail Crew maintained and restored hundreds of miles of public trails throughout the recreation area, addressing storm damage, fire impacts, and routine maintenance to ensure safe public access to parklands.
  2. $792,224 spent. EDUCATIONThe Fund delivers strategic education and workforce development programs that create pathways into conservation careers. The Fund provides funding for programming, transportation, and field-based learning experiences that connect young people to the Santa Monica Mountains.The Open Outdoors for Kids program continues to connect youth with the natural world. This program brings approximately 25,000 fourth graders to the park each year to learn about plants, animals, ecosystems, and Native American heritage.For college students and young adults, the Fund provides opportunities to work alongside National Park Service staff and conservation professionals. Youth workforce programs place students and interns in seasonal roles that support interpretation, restoration, science, and education programs while providing hands-on experience and mentorship that prepares participants for careers in environmental stewardship and public lands management.
  3. $389,507 spent. WILDLIFE RESEARCH AND PROTECTIONThe Fund supports wildlife research and monitoring programs conducted in partnership with the National Park Service, California State Parks, and collaborating scientists. Research initiatives include long-term studies of mountain lions, mule deer, and federally listed California red-legged frogs.Interns and field technicians assist with wildlife monitoring through satellite tracking, camera traps, and field surveys that help scientists better understand wildlife movement patterns, habitat connectivity, and the impacts of urban development on native species.Community education programs also support wildlife protection through initiatives such as the Nature Neighbor program and the Break the Poison Chain campaign, which raise awareness about rodenticide impacts on wildlife. The Fund also supports volunteer programs and cultural interpretation activities at the Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center, where youth and community members participate in educational and cultural events that celebrate the regions Indigenous heritage.
  4. $334,484 spent. OUTREACH AND OTHER SPECIAL INITIATIVESThe Fund provides annual support for volunteer programs that assist the National Park Service, California State Parks, and partner park organizations throughout the Santa Monica Mountains. These programs include the Mounted Volunteer Patrol, Mountain Bike Unit, National Trails Day events, habitat restoration volunteer days, and other stewardship activities that engage community members in caring for public lands.The Fund also supports cultural preservation and public engagement initiatives, including archaeological research projects and educational programming at the Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center developed in collaboration with Indigenous community members. These initiatives help ensure that the cultural, historical, and ecological significance of the Santa Monica Mountains is preserved and shared with future generations.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 1989.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.